HMIC Firearms Licensing (8268_15)

Request

HMIC published its report Targeting the risk on 15th September 2015. It made a number of recommendations which required action by Chief Officers either immediately or within three months (ie by mid December). Please state in respect of each recommendation (see below) what action has been taken and the results, if available. If action has yet to be initiated or is incomplete please state when the recommendation is expected to be implemented and why it was delayed. In respect of recommendation 16 please state what the `current arrangements¿ are.

Recommendation 1

Within three months, all chief constables should assess how well the governance of firearms licensing in his or her force meets the standards set out in Authorised Professional Practice. Chief constables of forces where the governance standards are not being complied with should put in place immediately the correct arrangements and procedures in order to meet the standards in full.

Recommendation 4

Within three months, all chief constables should assess the demand placed on their firearms licensing department and ensure it has the capacity to meet this demand and provide an efficient and effective service at all times.

Recommendation 8

Immediately, all chief constables should satisfy themselves that all appropriate action is being taken by their force with regard to `total expired¿ licensing records.

Recommendation 9

Within three months, all chief constables should ensure that their arrangements in respect of the use of temporary permits are in accordance with the Home Office guidance; that temporary permits are properly recorded without delay on the National Firearms Licensing Management System; and that effective systems exist to ensure certificate holders are not permitted, at any time, to remain in unlawful possession of a firearm.

Recommendation 10

Immediately, all chief constables should ensure that effective arrangements are in place for the day-to-day management of Police National Computer error notifications on the National Firearms Licensing Management System, ensuring that the notification requirements are dealt with and that the National Firearms Licensing Management System record is successfully transferred to the Police National Computer.

Recommendation 13

Within three months, all chief constables should ensure that systems designed to identify, prior to police attendance, whether a reported incident involves or is at the address of a firearm certificate holder are in place and are always applied by staff dispatching officers to incidents; and that officers understand the risk assessment which they should be undertaking in such circumstances, and their power, when appropriate, to seize firearms and firearm certificates.

Recommendation 16

Within three months, all chief constables should ensure that their current arrangements for public engagement with regard to firearms licensing are practical, proportionate and well known. They need to enable the force to understand the experience of service users and other interested groups. Thereafter, all chief constables should introduce effective systems to consider the results of public engagement to inform the efficiency and effectiveness of their licensing arrangements.